Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Business travel finds me in Memphis, Tennessee. I'm going for dinner, on my own, to Bari Ristorante e Enoteca. They have a nice sized all-Italian wine list, including a lot of wines by the glass. I don't know what I'm going to eat, but it's 103 degrees here and it will probably be something on the lighter side. I'm willing to spend$35-$40 on wine.

13 comments:

You're a Champagne guy, and it's hotter than hell (so a light meal) so perhaps a Prosecco, such as the Sergio or Franco. Lots of great still white choices, if you don't want that extra buzz in the heat and you don't want to drink something so celebratory alone. I'd vote for a Pinot Grigio. I don't know the Ronco Cucco, but I like the name, and, after all, it's the most expensive (and your money, not mine). Have a nice trip and a lovely meal.

San Lorenzo Verdicchio looks a cheap safe bet. From the price it's probably the "Gino"(2009?) label; not as impressive as their other wines but still nice, clean and refreshing.Biodynamic if memory serves.

No vintages?...geezz...IF they are 2009 the La Valentina Cerasuolo or the Cusumano Inzolia. Especially if you have never had these grapes(or style in the case of the La Valentina). Plus, by yourself, they are reasonably priced.

There were some things that do not appear on the website wine list, and others that do not appear in person. I began with 2009 Vietti Roero Arneis (not on the web-list), which I thought was fine, not memorable. It was good with linguini with shaved bottarga, mint, and garlic. Then I had grilled whole sardines with lemon and olive oil, and a side of fava bean puree and went with the Costamolino Vermentino de Sardegna. Also fine, not memorable. I did have a lovely Amaro afterwards though, full of cinnamon and orange peel, very light, and I cannot remember which one. It was a wine-shaped bottle with a black label that has a horizontal orange stripe at the bottom.